The high school at Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn will close at the end of the school year due to financial challenges and low enrollment.
In a letter to families Friday, Bishop James Ruggieri of the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland said the high school program is no longer financially sustainable.
"This is a very difficult decision, and I am saddened by the impact it will have on the St. Dominic community," Ruggieri said in the letter. "The closure of the high school is a significant loss to the present St. Dominic community, as well as to alumni/alumnae and the broader Lewiston-Auburn area."
There are 137 students enrolled this year, and Ruggieri said enrollment would have to dramatically increase to keep the school up and running. Five-year operational losses for Saint Dominic are expected to top $2.5 million by the end of the school year, with the diocese subsidizing at least $1 million. Ultimately, the diocese will end up covering all losses, Ruggieri said.
St. Dominic is one of two private religious schools in Maine that is appealing a court decision that found that the academy must comply with the state's anti-discrimination laws in order to receive public funding.
The academy's pre-K to eighth grade programs in Lewiston will continue, Ruggieri said.
The diocese will host a forum on April 10 for current students and families to answer their questions about transitioning to another high school.
